Ali and Hogan

Wrestling star Hulk Hogan says in his new book that he was about to shoot himself when he got an unexpected telephone call from Laila Ali (click here to read the story).

Ali, the daughter of heavyweight legend Muhammad, is no stranger to South Africa. She’s been here twice, but sadly, the first time there was much controversy because her scheduled fight fell through after the South African promoter failed to come up with the money he had promised.

During that sorry saga, it also emerged that someone in the promotional company had sent a forged letter, ostensibly from the Sports Minister’s office, to a regional government official trying to raise funds for the tournament.

Last-minute talks to save the bill failed and Ali left the country without fighting. The saddest part is that local boxing authorities went to the parliamentary sports committee and blamed her for the fight not proceeding because she had refused to lower her purse!?!?!

The committee, chaired by the notorious Butana Komphela (see my limerick about him in an earlier blog), accepted this bizarre explanation.

Ali returned to South Africa the following year to fight, and she proved what a professional she is.

It’s great to read about her compassion and insight – it turns out she phoned Hogan that day because she had picked up that something was wrong when they were at work earlier! She’s clearly her father’s daughter.

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